Nitrogen - p.3

The Nitrogen Family is in Group 15 and extends from Period 2 to Period 6.

Illustration highlighting the nitrogen family on the periodic table

The Elements in the Nitrogen Family

• Nitrogen - Symbol: N- Atomic Number: 7 - State of Matter: gas
• Phosphorus - Symbol: P- Atomic Number: 15 - State of Matter: solid
• Arsenic - Symbol: As - Atomic Number: 33 - State of Matter: solid
• Antimony - Symbol: Sb - Atomic Number: 51 - State of Matter: solid
• Bismuth - Symbol: Bi - Atomic Number: 83 -State of Matter: solid

• The Nitrogen Family is made up of solids and gases.
• They all share one structural property: there are five electrons in the outermost energy level of their atoms
• The properties of the elements that make up this group are very different.

Physical Properties

• Nitrogen is a colorless gas.
• As a gas, Phosphorus is colorless, but as a solid, it can be a silvery white or a red.
• Arsenic doesn't melt into a liquid. Instead, it goes through sublimation and goes straight to a gas. It can melt if it is under high pressure at 814 degrees Celsius.
• Antimony has a bluish white metallic sheen.
• Bismuth is the heaviest non-radioactive naturally occurring element.

Chemical Properties

• Nitrogen is non flammable and it won't support combustion.
• If Phosphorus is left exposed to the air, it will catch fire on its own.
• When Arsenic is heated in air, it combines with oxygen to form arsenic oxide. A blue flame will be made and it has a garlic-like odor.
• Antimony dissolves in some hot acids.
• Bismuth reacts with most acids.

Interesting Facts

• Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the atmosphere.
• Nitrogen is the 2nd most widely produced chemical.
• Bismuth is one of the rarest elements in Earth's crust.
• White phosphorus was used in Iraq as smoke screens. It also had a secondary effect of causing burns or explosions.
• Pepto Bismol got its name from Bismuth which is useful in treating gastric disorders.

Common Uses

• Phosphorus is used in the making of baking soda.
• Arsenic used to be used as a poison.
• Antimony is used often in the productions of metals.
• Bismuth is used for a wide variety of pigments.

Work Cited

• "Nitrogen Family - Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Arsenic and antimony, Bismuth." Science Clarified. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. http://www.scienceclarified.com/Mu-Oi/Nitrogen-Family.html.
• "The Nitrogen Family: NITROGEN!!" Carondelet High School Home. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. http://www.carondelet.pvt.k12.ca.us/Family/Science/Nitrogen/nitrogen.html
• "White Phosphorus (WP)." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/wp.htm.
• "Chemical Elements, Atomic Number, Atomic Weight, Solid, Liquid, Gas." EXPORT911.com : www.EXPORT911.com : International Trade Education, Exporting, Importing, Exporters, Importers, Export911. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.export911.com/ref/chemElem.htm.
• "Nitrogen Properties,Nitrogen Gas Properties,Nitrogen Physical Properties,Nitrogen Chemical Properties." Gas Plants,Industrial Gas Plants,Gas Plants Manufacturers,Industrial Gas Plants Exporters. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.gas-plants.com/nitrogen-properties.html.
• "Phosphorus, Chemical Element - Overview, Discovery and naming, Physical properties, Chemical properties, Occurrence in nature, Isotopes." Chemistry: Foundations and Applications. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/L-P/Phosphorus.html.
• "Arsenic, Chemical Element - Overview, Discovery and naming, Physical properties, Chemical properties, Occurrence in nature, Isotopes." Chemistry: Foundations and Applications. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/A-C/Arsenic.html.
• "Antimony, Chemical Element - Overview, Discovery and naming, Physical properties, Chemical properties, Occurrence in nature, Isotopes." Chemistry: Foundations and Applications. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/A-C/Antimony.html.
• "Bismuth, Chemical Element - Overview, Discovery and naming, Physical properties, Chemical properties, Occurrence in nature, Isotopes." Chemistry: Foundations and Applications. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/A-C/Bismuth.html.

Pictures Cited

• Illustration highlighting the nitrogen family on the periodic table. Digital image. Learner.org. Annenburg Media. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.learner.org/interactives/periodic/groups7.html.
• CartoonStock. Plant Fast Food. Digital image. Www.CartoonStock.com. CSL Cartoon Stock. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/n/nitrogen.asp.
• CartoonStock. Arsenic Cartoon. Digital image. Www.CartoonStock.com. CSL Cartoon Stock. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/A/Arsenic.asp.
• Kim, Nick D. Analytical Chemists in the Wild West. Digital image. WebElements Periodic Table. Web. 24 Oct. 2009. http://www.webelements.com/antimony/.